Wahluke freshman twice a winner in book reviews

MATTAWA - You could say Stephanie Juarez was the big winner in the first North Central Regional Library Book Review Contest even though she finished sixth.

You see, Juarez entered the most reviews - 19, to be exact. That means she did a lot of learning in reading and writing, and that can never go wrong.

"I've heard she's a voracious reader," NCRL Assistant Director Angela Morris said.

She is. Juarez has read hundreds of books since she was first able. Real books. She has no Kindle.

Juarez doesn't remember when she started reading, only that she was little, maybe in kindergarten. It could be she was simply following in the footsteps of older sister Maria, a senior who is a good student.

"She likes to read books too," Juarez said.

The judging of the contest was done by "likes" on Facebook. The number of likes could be decreased by unlikes.

Juarez's review of "To Kill A Mockingbird" won sixth place. She received a gift certificate for that and another for posting the most reviews.

"I wasn't really expecting to win," she said. "I just wanted to do it. It was fun."

The winner was 9-year-old Court Creighton of Mazama. He had 135 likes for a review of "Helen's Babies."

Court's mother, Kali Creighton, took second with likes for her review of "The Hobbit." Carys Creighton finished fourth with 54 likes for "East Dragon, West Dragon."

Third place went to Michael Dobbins of East Wenatchee with 93 likes for "The King Must Die." Fifth place was won by Michelle Gutzwilder of Wenatchee for "The Hobbit."

"We had an amazing 156 reviews submitted from all over our five-county library district." Morris said. "We had reviews on books for all ages, submitted by people of all ages."

Court Creighton won a Kindle Fire. Kali Creighton won a Barnes & Noble Nook.

The following winners will receive gift certificates for their efforts: Codi Richardson (Conconully) 23 likes for "The Doctor is Sick," Susan Porter Leavitt (Wenatchee) 15 likes for "A Winter Dream," Daren-Meagan Schober (Wenatchee)15 likes for "Go Ask Alice," Lori Wood (Okanogan)15 likes for "Sweetheart and Heartsick," Thiry Titus (Republic)14 likes for "Onio, "Marny Lowe (Waterville)13 likes for "Lockdown."

The NCRL employee winner was Cindy Simmons from Manson.

Juarez's thirst for reading leads the way in a young life that can only be termed successful. Her grade point average is somewhere above 3.80, and she was Wahluke's lone representative last fall at the girls state cross country meet. She's running long distances and the hurdles on the track team this spring.

"And she's a very nice girl," Principal Jeff Pietla said.

Juarez's first crack at a reading contest was the second half of third grade. She doesn't remember how many books she read, but they were many.

"When my homework is done and my household chores are done, I read," she said. "I read in my spare time."

The most serious book Juarez has read is "To Kill a Mockingbird." It was a freshman Honors English class project.

The most entertaining book has been "Ten," about a party to which 10 teens have been invited and, one by one, are killed.

"The killer dies. They find him before the last two are killed," Juarez said. "I really liked the way it kept me in suspense."

Overall, Juarez doesn't have a favorite style of book. She likes all genres.

"I just like to read," she said.

You can't go wrong with that.